River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-11-17

the pcspleXing question, more perplex-
ing indeed than that of new trousers.
Mamma" il was child's voice;
that of Ruth, the thoughtful little bur
den bearer for the family, to whom her
mother turned for advice and consola-
ton in her many perplexities as natur-
ally as to a grown person. ''If each
one of grandma's children, and grand
children. could give dollar year.
wouldn't it be almost enough TO keep
them?'
"Why YES, child, do believe it
would" replied the mother. If each
one would do their share, there would
be no need of this disgrace, but the
trouble seems to be that each waits for
the other to do something. and they
are all getting eallous together, by the
means"
Don't you believe mamma we could
coax them to have birthday box in
each one Of their families, and every
time there is birthday, drop in a dol
lar for grandma and grandpa" con-
tinued Ruth, her dear thoughtful little
face lifted eagerly to the mothers,
land perhaps mamma, if you were to
90 around to them all. and coax a lit
tie. You could get them to make them
a Thanksgiving donation, like we do
the minister's folks sometimes?' al
don't know. child, I'm sure" re-
piled the mother. thOughtfully, at
seems rs if natural affection an pride
ought TO be enough, without any coax
in. but then"
"Out of the mouth o babes an
sucklin's wife, said the husband,
significantly. ats worth tryin'."
- But how could we do our share, }"
said Sarah, still perplexed! "Our fam
lily is the largest, and we are the poor
est of them all; yet | couldn't ask
them to do what | couldn't do myself !"
I'VE older chi idren could earn our
money some wa -" replied Ruth, COM
ing TO the rescue, with her wise little
brain on the alert for a remedy.
can knit, and I'm sure Mrs. Lane
would hire me to knit the winter nit
tens for her children. and Denny and
Mark can pick up potatoes for Mr..
Slocum. especially if he knew what we
were working fol-"
If we trust in the Lord I'm sure
He'll open the way. wife" said John,
with a gratified look at his eager little
daughter; he loved to see his children
unselGsh and self-sacrficing. "He
doesn't open doors for us until we
come to them"
wish it could be recorded that Mrs.
Hammond's project was welcomed
with such enthusiasm rs it deserved by
the other members of the family.
Julia was calling upon Amelia when
Mrs. Hammond arrived at the comfort
able home of the elder sister
Both ladies were dressed in heavy
silks. and had elegant gold watches
peeping out from elaborate watch
pockets.
Marian, the daughter of Amelia, or
Mrs. Crary, was also present; she had
been several years married to a pros
porous lawyer. and one of her shop
ping excursions would have kept her
grandparents in comfort many months
and on this occasion she wore articles
of value which represented at least a
years living for them.
I'm sure | don't see how | can do
any thing" said Mrs. Crazy. tossing
her head, when Mrs. Hammond had
opened her subject. Our trip to Cal
ifOrnia was so expensive that haven't
asked Pryor for dollar since he came
back; besides. it's Harrison's place to
support them, since they were so fool
ish as to give him the farm She pos
siblv forgot to state that it was not
neces,ar to ask Mr.. Crazy for dol
lar. as he kept her poeket-book well
supplied voluntarily.
Surely the mistakes of feeble old
age ought not to be visited on them so
severely as this replied Mrs. Ham
mond. Father was getting too old TO
work the farm satisfactorily. though
of course that doesn't relieve Harrison
of his promise; but it does seem burn
ing shame that the parents that have
brought us up so tenderly should be on
the town for support"
''Well, it does gall me terribly. said
Mrs. LOOMS, ''to think where they
have brought themselves. Father al
ways would give, give. to the church.
and was always helping every body that
was a little poorer than he. and then
to finish up by giving the farm to Har-
risOn. It's no wonder he's on the
town"
There's no danger of your getting
there for any such reason" thought
Mrs. Hammond. but she kept her lips
wisely and firmly closed.
Il don't see how l can help it," con-
tinued Mrs. Loomis, lit does cost so
much to live; the girls are just coming
into society, and have to be dressed
extensively.
Cora was scolding this morning, be-
cause she has to use the old piano,
when the girls in her set are having
new ones. She is going to be a fine
musician. and. as l told her father at
dinner. we really must try to get her
a suitable instrument.
How are you going to spend
Thanksgiving. mOther?" asked Marian,
turning the subject, and rich bracelet
on her arm ut the same moment.
well, l did think of giving din
ner." said Mrs. Crary. 1--WE are in
debted to Judge Macomber's people.
and half dozen other families, and |
thought it would be good time to re-
turn the hospitality, especially as | can
get that splendid cook of Mrs. Gray's."
you will invite father and mother.
of course" perhaps Mrs. Hammond
did not mean to be sarcastic.
MERCY nor said Mrs. Crazy en-
phatically. Il should sink with shame
to have them seen by such guests. in
their shabby clothes, and with their
old fashioned ways; the idear'
And you propose TO give a Thanks
giving feast to strangers, and leave
\ n N DD M